Rangers select Tennessee’s Dylan Dreiling in second round of 2024 MLB Draft
Tennessee outfielder Dylan Dreiling has been selected by the Texas Rangers with pick No. 65 overall in the second round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft.
The sophomore left-handed hitter is the fourth Vol to be selected in this year’s draft, following Christian Moore (8th overall, Angels), Blake Burke (34th overall, Brewers) and Billy Amick (60th overall, Twins)
Dreiling was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player after playing a key role for the Vols in Omaha while capturing their first ever national championship. The draft-eligible sophomore belted a seventh inning two-run home run in each of the three CWS Finals games against Texas A&M.
They say everything is bigger in Texas, well, you won't find a player in this year's draft with bigger swings than Dylan Dreiling!@Rangers, you got a good one!#GBO // #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/Ib4LPLPRWE
— Tennessee Baseball (@Vol_Baseball) July 15, 2024
He led the team with 75 RBI, launched 23 home runs and hit for an impressive .341 average in the cleanup spot. The Hays, Kan. native was named a Third Team All-American by D1 Baseball for his efforts this past season.
Dreiling was considered the 72nd-best draft prospect entering this weekend by MLB.com and ranked No. 73 from Baseball America. The projected slot value that comes with the 65th overall pick is $1,287,600, according to MLB.com.
Scouting Report from MLB.com
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 55 | Arm: 40 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50
“As a Kansas high schooler, Dreiling drew comparisons to Tennessee star and eventual Astros first-round pick Drew Gilbert. Scouts liked his hitting ability and athleticism but had a hard time evaluating him after he injured his hamstring in the second game of his senior season, so he went undrafted before heading to Knoxville. He excelled in a platoon role as a freshman and has starred as an everyday player as a Draft-eligible sophomore in 2024, earning Most Outstanding Player honors at the College World Series after homering in all three games of the championship series as the Volunteers won their first national title.
Dreiling has the chance to hit for average and power because he makes consistent hard contact to all fields. He drives the ball in the air while managing the strike zone, drawing plenty of walks and keeping his quick left-handed swing under control. After looking helpless against southpaws while going 0-for-16 against them in 2023, he has pounded them this spring.
Dreiling has solid to plus speed once he gets going but still is learning how to use it. He isn’t aggressive on the bases and was so rough defensively that he mostly DHed as a freshman. He has improved as a left fielder but probably won’t be more than an average defender with a subpar arm and lacks the instincts for center.“
Tennessee in the 2024 MLB Draft
INF Christian Moore: 8th overall, Round 1 (Angels)
1B Blake Burke: 34th overall, Round 1 (Brewers)
INF Billy Amick: 60th overall, Round 2 (Twins)
OF Dylan Dreiling: 65th overall, Round 2 (Rangers)
